My 13.33z 18k chrono

watchlovr · Sep 14, 2019

For your viewing pleased and comments.

DirtyDozen12 · Sep 14, 2019

Very nice example.

My only concern is that the hour and minute hands may be too long. An example with shorter hands and a period advert can be seen here: http://watchexpertise.com/oldlonginespassion/Longines_Passion/Longines_13.33z.html

watchlovr · Sep 14, 2019

DirtyDozen12
Very nice example.

My only concern is that the hour and minute hands may be too long. An example with shorter hands and a period advert can be seen here: http://watchexpertise.com/oldlonginespassion/Longines_Passion/Longines_13.33z.html

Interesting. They do look different. I wonder if there might've been differing lengths of hands, purely because someone who has written (two) I think books on vintage Longines, said "It is all correct" when I sent him photos?

DirtyDozen12 · Sep 14, 2019

I do not wish to undermine the knowledge of the unmentioned (let's call him Silverberger). But I imagine that he receives countless inquiries and may not have the time to carefully scrutinize each one. There could have been hands of different lengths but most agree that the hour/minute hands should not extend past the minute track. You could ask him about this and show him the example I linked to for comparison.

DirtyDozen12 · Sep 14, 2019

P.S. Overall, the watch looks relatively unmolested so I can understand the reasoning that the prospect of replacement hands is unlikely. I am not certain and it is not a massive issue as the watch is very beautiful, regardless.

watchlovr · Sep 14, 2019

DirtyDozen12
I do not wish to undermine the knowledge of the unmentioned (let's call him Silverberger). But I imagine that he receives countless inquiries and may not have the time to carefully scrutinize each one. There could have been hands of different lengths but most agree that the hour/minute hands should not extend past the minute track. You could ask him about this and show him the example I linked to for comparison.

Thanks, This is far from my usual collecting experience or expertise.
I'll not bother the gentleman with more questions, (you nailed his ID!)
I was grateful he answered my questions in the first place, having only met him the once.
I've been going back and forth between both sets of photos and actually cannot decide which hands I prefer. (Purely from a personal point of view)
I'll have another look later in the week, see if I can make my mind up. (Not that that really matters tbh)
What about the "Anti Magnetique" on the dial, any theory on why this was added?
I'm told this is unusual.
Longines say it was retailed in Italy.

DirtyDozen12 · Sep 14, 2019

watchlovr
What about the "Anti Magnetique" on the dial, any theory on why this was added?
I'm told this is unusual.

No great insight but it is indeed unusual on a 13.33Z dial. As you likely know, it is not at all unusual to find it on 13ZN dials. It is also present on Majetek dials.

watchlovr · Sep 15, 2019

DirtyDozen12
No great insight but it is indeed unusual on a 13.33Z dial. As you likely know, it is not at all unusual to find it on 13ZN dials. It is also present on Majetek dials.

Ok, so nothing special about the movement or watch to make it “anti magnetique”?

Also does anyone know if the circular graining on the case back looks like factory finish?
The others I’ve seen do not have it.

Larry S · Sep 15, 2019

Would not hurt to get an extract from Longines...

DirtyDozen12 · Sep 15, 2019

watchlovr
Ok, so nothing special about the movement or watch to make it “anti magnetique”?

One detail I notice is that the balance wheel is not a split bi-metallic type, as seen on earlier 13.33Z examples. Other, later examples can also be seen with this balance wheel. Regarding the hairspring, I think that this watch pre-dates Nivarox. It also does seem possible that "Anti-Magnetique" was for certain markets only. What is neat is that the words appears on some cases too (as seen below on a Valjoux ebauche).

watchlovr
Also does anyone know if the circular graining on the case back looks like factory finish?

I am also not certain if that is factory correct or not. The vast majority of 13.33Z cases do not have this finish so I am leaning towards not.

watchlovr · Sep 15, 2019

Larry S
Would not hurt to get an extract from Longines...

Got that Larry, sold in 1930, in Italy.

Modest_Proposal · Sep 16, 2019

I agree that the radial finish is likely not original.

Regardless of whether the hands are a replacement, of which DirtyDozen makes an honest argument, the watch is a sexy devil.

J_pilot · Nov 25, 2023

Reviving this thread because I am now the lucky owner of this example! I wanted to share that after inquiring with the excellent Longines Heritage Department, they confirmed the “anti-magnetique” dial signature.

Much more interestingly, though, they added the below:

Does anyone know when glucydur was introduced in certain Longines watches? As @DirtyDozen12 noted above, this would explain the monometallic balance.

DirtyDozen12 · Nov 25, 2023

J_pilot
Much more interestingly, though, they added the below:

Thanks for sharing this information! I am not certain when Longines started using Glucydur balance wheels. I am not actually sure when Glucydur was first developed. One source said around 1930, but I would want to see something to substantiate that claim. Your 13.33Z could be quite an early example.